My Memories *Giveaway*

Well, as promised I'm back ready for the giveaway. You will remember that I tried to entice you with my last post on the My Memories Digital Software that I've come to enjoy. Now I know that my creative skills are nothing to call home about but the software has been great.


I won't babble any further though, on to the giveaway...after one last look at my fav. creation. Love it.

Now, without further ado.


The giveaway. 


Okay, okay, one more:

 And now....


This is gonna be easy cause I hate having to criss cross the internet to enter giveaways. I have entered a few lately that have used Rafflecopter and LOVE the ease so this is my first time trying to host with it. Hope it goes okay.


The first entry is Mandatory. All others are optional but just increase your chances of winning this great software!


Please remember to make sure I have a way of contacting you if you win so that I'm not forced to pick another winner.


Giveaway will end on Thursday, March 1st at Midnight EST. I will do my best to make sure that the winners are posted/contacted Friday.

My Memories Review

Info on a giveaway at end of post!!! Keep reading!

Do you like to scrapbook? There was a time in my life when I did. I bought the album, stickers, papers, letters, brads, glue, scissors, pictures etc, etc, etc. I can remember spending hours getting my 1st daughter's scrapbook put together. When daughter #2 came along there was less time but I still did some scrapbooking. Baby #3 was our first (and only) boy and I did finish a few boy pages cause it was new and fun.


But by the time babies #4  and now #5 got here my extra time had left the building. I no longer have ANY time to get out all of that stuff let alone actually get any pages done. Besides with all of these kiddies running around it would just be a big mess anyway and that brings me to my next point, where to house it all since we have a full house already. No space. No space. 


So, what to do? I truly LOVE to scrapbook cause I LOVE all things pictures and memories. Well how about digital scrapbooking?


I was contacted at the end of January by a company called My Memories. Never heard of them before they contacted me but upon investigation found out they were a real company with a good reputation, #1 in scrapbooking on Amazon. Really! I was given the awesome opportunity to review their digital scrapbooking software for a couple of weeks. I was totally in!


So I've been neglecting housework spending my recent free time creating pages and more. 


But before I go any further let me share with you all a coupon code for receiving a great discount from My Memories!!

STMMMS75980

This code is good for $10 off the purchase price of My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store. A $20 value!! Yeah!

Back to the software, I made my first pages within 30 minutes. So easy folks. Really. Here's how it works:


1. Choose to start with the premade pages which include embelishments or opt to start from scratch and build your own.


2. Click on the camera in the resource gallery located on the left side of the screen to access your pictures directly from the software. No need to upload and wait. Your photo files will all be pulled up and you can browse for the perfect photo.

This is one of the first pages I created using the Diva set. I love it!

3. After you choose your pictures you can select something from the control panel on the right  to spice up your page. Your options include: embellishments, background papers, text, word art, shapes and even music! Check out all of the options:

The possibilities are endless!!

The photo above shows the Embellishments drop down menu and the many choices you have.

Here is one I made to frame and hang up for my son. I.Love.It.

You even have the option of Changing the size of your album to meet your needs. In this one I was creating a Christmas card (just for the fun of it. I know it's early...or late depending on how you look at it.) and only wanted 4 x 6 size. Done. Great!

You can also purchase more materials from their store as downloads. The prices begin at $.99 and can go up to $9.99 (as far as I've noticed). Once you purchase your item it is stored in your downloads page under your account. Once you download it to your computer it is automatically uploaded to your My Memories software and simply awaits for your creativity to call.

This is a picture for Spring that I want to print and frame for my mantle.

They also have a great amount of Free Items as well and offer something Free every Friday on their Facebook page.

The My Memories software has been so easy to use. I didn't use the Intro. video or read any of the tutorials I was able to navigate my way around the program fairly easily. I do plan on going through those just to catch anything that I may have missed. I said that to let you know that ANYONE can work this program. It's so user-friendly!!


Now I've said a lot of good things about the program but I need to keep this an honest review. So, I do have to list a few of my "eh" feelings. Not necessarily negative, just things that made me go "eh."


1. The file size makes for a big download. It is even recommended that you check your hard drive space every so often to make sure that you don't run out of space. Hmmm...


Go here for a full list of computer requirements.


2. When creating your albums you will see a message pop up saying that the shaded grey areas bordering the page may be cut off so you have to make sure that your items stay inside the shaded area so that nothing gets cut off during printing. What? I would think that they could have just made sure that the measurements would be within the printable area? Hmmm...


3. The program seems to run on the slow side. Now this could be an isolated issue since I can get download happy...all those free downloads are too irresistible! Maybe my computer is tired from working so hard to keep up with me?!


Now remember, I haven't watched any videos or read any tutorials so I might be missing out on some very obvious reasons for the above problems but those are just what I've noticed from playing around with the program.


All in all its a great program and I'm so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to review it! Thanks My Memories!!


**I just saw that they have a My Memories Photobook Studio software currently selling for $29.97! That's good to know!!

Now for the good stuff...if you've stuck with me this long, first thank you and second come back by on Monday, Feb. 27 to enter a giveaway to win your very own My Memories Suite download!! You will not be sorry you entered! It's a great program. See you Monday!


Lovin' Learnin'

Aweseom curls without the heat!!!

No way right? How many of us have taken the time to take that hair damaging iron to our hair year after year after year? I know that in my younger years I often did just that. And in those younger years my hair held the curl wonderfully. But something happened to this hair of mine sometime between those younger years and having baby years. The hair no longer cares about holding the curl and I no longer have the time needed to curl it. So for the past few years I have spent many a morning pulling my hair up in my comfy old french twist. Quick, easy and hassle-free. Everything a busy mom of 5 needs.

But just this weekend I came across this post at It's Just Laine. (She's got a terrific blog by the way!) Great looking curls with no heat...and in 5 mintues!!! What?!!! I was immediatley intrigued! I watched this video and that night decided to try it out!

Although I was totally on board about this I was worried that it wouldn't turn out so I decided to take the plunge and twist my hair in the elastic that night. Now since I had just bathed the hair was wet. In the video you will find that she does hers while somewhere between wet and dry but I didn't do that. I let it air dry just a little and then began the work. Literally 5 minutes gals!!! SO easy!!!

I buckled down for the night eager to see what would result in the morning. I slept like a baby since the elastic didn't bother me like those tacky sponge rollers have in the past.

That morning I awoke and quickly untwisted my hair. Boy was I amazed! It worked!!!! This is what the result was!

Sorry about that tacky date imprint!!

Awesome isn't it? I mean wet hair, twisted in a hair elastic and left overnight to get that?! This is THE easiest hair-do I've ever tried. I didn't even use any products in my hair. Totally pleased. And ladies, the curls will last and last!!! I couldn't take a picture of my hair the next day cause my camera was broken after these pictures. (sniff, sniff) but believe me when I say that they did not fall out!!

I tried it on my oldest daughter's hair Sunday morning just cause I was excited. Now her hair was super dry so I didn't think that anything would result. I only left the elastic on for about an hour. The result: some pretty full body waves. Nice.

See the elastic? The hair is twisted around that.

Not bad for 5 minutes of work!

Girls, this is so awesome...alomst life changing...really. Dramatic, I know but for this gal who is always just throwing her hair up this is so great!!!!

So, check out the video for the easy visual instructions!!!

And one more time...

Awesome!!

And for all of you digital scrapbookers out there (and all of you wanna be's) stay tuned cause I have a giveaway with My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software coming up within the next few days!!! You will like what you see, I know I do!!!

Lovin' Learnin'

Valentine's Day Sweets and Treats

I know that I've been M.I.A. lately....life with a big family leaves little time for actual blogging. I've had tons of posts floating around in my brain just haven't been able to carve out the time/energy that it takes to get them onto the blog.


I am back today though for a special treat. But first...isn't he so cute?

He's just getting so big!!! LOVE the shirt!!! (Once the girls are "presentable" I'll post one of them!!)


I've been working hard at getting some V-Day treats ready for our crew and I love them so much I just had to share with you all. I found most of them on Pinterest (love!) so I'll try to link back to all that I can in case you want to Pin 'em for next year.


I'll start with the cards. They turned out so cute! I had hubby print out the cards from the Plum Perfect blog. I had a number of ideas but Brother liked these the best. They were so easy and didn't cost us a dime since we had the paper and ink already!! :) (Well, we did spend $2 on the suckers but that's it!!)

I made the mustache puppet out of black felt and just glued it onto popsicle sticks for the kids. I think they're cute and hope that Brother's classmates find them Fan(tache)tic!! Here is another version from Craft Monkey.


We also made a treat for his party from Family Fun. I didn't take a picture of them but they turned out exactly like the picture from the website. So cute and healthy!!! Watermelon, oranges and bamboo sticks...so easy!!

For our V-Day breakfast we are having heart shaped cinnamon rolls (idea from Poppies at Play)...not typical to have such a sugar laden breakfast around here but trying to "let loose"...the kids (and Dad) loved them! Sorry, not the greatest picture!

The girls will have a fun little drink for their lunches...hopefully they'll drink it cause they're not big on juice! I just removed the label from a mini-water bottle, cut out another one from pretty scrapbook paper and made a topper for the lid. I covered it all with a couple layers of Modge Podge just cause I love that stuff!!

For the hubs I made a couple of things. I inadvertently kind of, sort of, broke our color printer trying to do this...I did get one done though...

...so his first gift ended up with my own writing instead of a cute label printed off like I had planned when I first saw the idea from Mommy by day. He liked them anyway though. I bought a box of Hot Tamales and Whoppers and wrote the following messages on them: "You're my Hot Tamale" and "Have a Whopping Good Day". I think they turned out kinda fun.

Then I made a message board for him. You can find more details from this post. Love it!!!!! Oh, and those Vis-a-vis markers are awesome. So much better than regular dry erase markers.

That's about it for right now. Today the girls and I are going to work on our Valentine Menu:


Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, V-Day cupcakes and homemade Peppermint Patties. Yum, yum.


So, that's what I've been doing between all the normal every day fun stuff that happens around here!! 


What do you have planned for today?

Lovin' Learnin'

Busy crafting lately...

...so my house is not so tidy to say the least. But I love what I've been doing!! Making flowers again! Found the tutoral for a new felt flower while browsing Pinterst (addicting!!!)
The idea for this felt Camelia flower came from Joy at How Joyful. You can find the tutoral and FREE printable pattern (love that) at her blog.

I made one in grey for our newest girl and liked it so much that I made one in pink for Littlest...no pictures of hers though. I think it turned out great and it was oh so easy!!

(Sorry, we don't have the greatet camera.)

I also came across the greatest idea on Pinterest for a message board for couples. Check it out:

Isn't it beautiful?!! Let's say he washes dishes for you one night...the next day or whenever you could write that on the board. Or you could write about how he always brings you coffee in the a.m. Anything.

I made this one for a friend but am totally making one for me and the hubs!!!!

This idea came from Lianne over at A Content Housewife. Go here for her tutorial on how to recreate your own! It's so easy, so inexpensive and so beautiful!!

I came up with a poem to go with this message board since I was giving it to a friend. This is what I  wrote:

Use the marker to tell him why

You love him and are glad he’s your guy..

Take the time to let him know

And watch the love between you grow.

Feel free to use it if you are giving yours as a gift.

Anyway, that's what I've been crafting. What have you been up to lately?


Lovin' Learnin'

Our New Workboxes

So way back when we began using the workbox system. Well, like most people we tweaked the idea to fit our homeschool style and space, you can read about it here. The idea worked great but it's been time for a change for quite some time. Enter my newest idea.


I had been checking out some craft storage carts at Michael's for, oh, say about 1 YEAR...yeah, I don't spend my money hastily...but could not bring myself to spend the $70 bucks they were wanting for them...times two! So, at Michael's they would sit.


Well for my birthday and Christmas I received Michael's gift cards. I was so excited. I checked out the sales ads the week after Christmas and saw that the storage items were 40% off!! Woot!! I also had the coupon for $5 off every $25 dollars spent...double woot!!!


The Monday after Christmas Biggest and I drove on into town with a mission: "Purchase those craft carts. Pronto."


Well thankfully there were about 3 left in the store by the time we got there and they were on sale for $34.99 - 50% off!!! Triple woot!!! So, with my discount, gift cards and the coupon for $5 off every $25 spent I purchased two of those babies!!!

Can I say that I LOVE THEM!! And they were so easy to put together!! They are not of gigantic size, they are slim...like I wish I were...they are colorful but not loud, they seem sturdy enough...but we'll see, Littlest will put them to the test I'm sure and my girls LOVE them!!! They (in the 3 short days that we have used them) have helped keep our school day organized!!


They come with 10 drawers...plenty for us...and have a nice shelf on top for extra stuff. I'm so in love with this purchase and the great deal I got!


Hubby was concerned about where I'd put them and honestly I was too as we have a houseful but they are just the perfect size and fit well in the living room.

Knowing me that will not be their final resting place...does anyone else have the bad habit of creative energy making one change living room furniture around all.the.time? Hubby goes with it but I know it drives him crazy. He's so great..I love him!!


Anyway, we honestly don't use all of those great numbers and labels that most people who use workboxes do. I did when we did our last system but I don't find it necessary this time around. Maybe the girls are old enough to just get in and get it done? Maybe the colored drawers are enough? I don't know but this system is so easy and straightforward. Perfect for my season of life!


Anyway, if you feel so inclined, check out Michael's...I've seen these carts on sale again since I've purchase them and Michael's is getting ready to have another great sale on Sunday from 1 - 7 pm...if you shop on Sundays.


And do you wanna see what I made with the boxes those carts came in? Here ya go:

Sorry it's blurry, a certain long-haired chihuahua thought he needed a picture taken...so camera focused on HIM instead...grrr...

Fabric covered boxes...FREE and made to my desired measurements!!! I followed this tutorial-sort of. Can't help it, I tweak everything!!!


Anyway, I'll post later about how things are going with our Christian Light curriculum...in a word...great. Details to come!!


Lovin' Learnin'

A sweet gift for a sweet chef.

We recently found a wooden kitchen for our preschooler that we are going to sand down and paint. To go with that gift I have made this little chef's set. I found it here. It is quite easy to sew and turned out very cute! The tutorial is easy to follow so if you're so inclined try it out for yourself!

Can't wait for her to see them!! I'll post a picture of her in these after Christmas some time.

So, what's on your last minute gift giving list?

Update!

So she opened the gifts and LOVED them!! Check her out!!

So yes, they were bigger than I thought they would be. I knew they'd be big but I wanted the big girls to be able to use them too. I need to add some velcro to the back of the chef's hat so that I can adjust the size (I was waiting until she opened it to do that so I could add in a sufficient amount. The apron is just plain big but I have enough fabric to make another...I should have guessed that one cause she is so tiny for her age!

Also you can see from the pictures that we haven't found the time to sand and paint the kitchen set. Did I ever mention that life is busy with 5 kids, homeschooling, ministry and running (sort of  :/) a home? We'll get to it. Littlest actually wants blue. I'm thinking of something very soft but that's a project for another time...soon hopefully!

Anyway, these turned out so adorable!! Check out the tutorial!!

Lovin' Learnin'